James Alan Shelton

James Alan Shelton clinches his dream (Sep 2002)

For generations of American boys raised in the cities and suburbs, the ultimate dream and fantasy has been to become a professional athlete and play for the hometown team. For James Alan Shelton, the musical version of that dream came true in 1994 when he signed on as the lead guitar player for the most legendary bluegrass band outside of the Blue Grass Boys, Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys. Born in Kingsport, Tenn. and raised across the state line near Gate City, Va. in the heart of Stanley Country, Shelton grew up steeped in the music of the Stanley Brothers.  ...